Alaric’s POVI woke up the next morning with Cara in my arms, asleep with her cheek to my chest. We were still in last night’s clothes, more or less, though I was missing my jacket, and my buttoned shirt was unbuttoned halfway, revealing the tank top I wore underneath.Her clothes were equally dishe
Alaric had left me here.No, I chastised myself. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Too much lately I had always been willing to believe the worst in Alaric. Given our past, he had trained me to feel this way, but lately, he had been putting in real effort to be there for me and our children.He would
Alaric’s POVCara ate her breakfast and then went back to her own room to change and get ready for the day. I had to do the same, telling her that I would be gone for work-related reasons for the majority of the morning and afternoon, but I would do my hardest to be home in time for dinner.It pleas
“Do you watch the news?” I asked them. “Though even if you don’t, I imagine your contacts still explained to you what happened regarding my daughter.”“Yes,” said the head elder. “We’ve heard that you have found her and that she is unharmed. Blessings all around.”“Yes,” I agreed. “Though these bles
Alaric’s POVThere was a television hanging along one wall of the meeting. While it had been off while the elders met and while I spoke, we turned it on now. John found the correct channel and immediately, Melinda Bedford’s face filled the screen.She’d dyed her hair again, black now instead of red,
Cara’s POVI placed the back of my hand to Mia’s forehead and immediately felt her fever. Her hands were clammy. She seemed lethargic, like she couldn’t get up. When I asked her how she felt, she simply said, “Tired.”“I’m going to take you to the hospital,” I said, worry taking hold.“Please don’t,
Colin’s POVI listened carefully to my sister’s words. I didn’t know if she could tell, but as an outsider looking in, it was easily to see how much she loved Alaric. Given their past, she was likely still afraid to admit those feelings to herself, or to acknowledge them in any way.For this, she wa
“I think we need to be prepared for anything. Cara is going to need our support no matter what happens.”Hopefully my bad feeling was wrong. Hopefully everything would be fine.But I wasn’t going to count on hope alone.Alaric’s POVAs the Bedford’s were a prominent noble family with high-ranking su
None of them seemed even remotely guilty. They were all entirely confident, I could see it in their eyes.Only Lilia wore a different expression. When no one else could see her but me, she seemed smug, smirking. She pointed to a nearby camera.“I’ve been on camera this entire time, too, if you don’t
Cara’s POVIn my mind, there could only be one person responsible for this: Lilia.The beautiful embroidery, torn out. The rainbow-shimmering lace, in tatters.It had been such a gorgeous dress, a true work of art.To see it destroyed like this sent an icy chill down through my veins. This was worse
Cara’s POVThe night of the opening ceremony came much quicker than anyone would have liked. Even me. I’d been preparing as best I could for the events, and spending as much time with Alaric whenever possible to help revitalize Lucy.So far, I mostly just felt tired, not prepared, and Lucy remained
Cara’s POVKissing Alaric was as easy as breathing, especially when, after a moment, he gently opened his mouth and accepted my waiting tongue. His hands clenched at my waist, tugging me closer as he licked along the side of my tongue with his own before chasing mine back into my mouth and deepening
Alaric’s POVRuby’s request for a physical seemed to come rather suddenly after I picked up Cara from the rehearsal and brought her home, but I wasn’t one to ignore a healer’s orders, especially when she claimed she wanted to check me to see if they could pinpoint some medical ways I could help Cara
Cara’s POVLater, as all the girls were being fitted for our gowns for the opening ceremony, Ruby surprised me by walking into my dressing room. I was in my gown, with the tailor marking where to make the hem at my feet.The gown needed some work yet. It was much too small in the chest, and far too
Cara’s POVI moved without even realizing it. One minute, I was on the stage. The next, I was down near the exit, standing beside Alaric. My hand clutched Lilia’s by the wrist, as I pried her touch away from his chest.Both Alaric and Lilia seemed surprised by my sudden appearance. A few breaths lat
Alaric’s POVTrue to my word, I stuck to Cara’s side as much as I could. It was no great ask to keep my arm slung around her waist, her torso pressed into my side.The kids looked at us strangely, but seemed otherwise pleased with themselves, like they had somehow facilitated this. I didn’t know how
Cara’s POVWhen we arrived back at my house, I knew it was only a matter of time before Alaric started talking me out of my desire to stay in the competition. His protective instincts were fierce, even though he clearly had been trying to fight them lately. I knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back at